Get to know Trinity College, Hartford—from Bants—by Bants

Category: Bantam Spotlight

Meredith Veach ’12 was one of the first female students to graduate Trinity with a major in film studies, and since her graduation, she has relocated to Los Angeles and currently works in the film industry. Her most recent project is a romantic comedy entitled THRE3BOUND. The indie film, which she edited and color-corrected, premiered at the SOHO International Film Festival in NYC on June 21. Veach was present for the screening, and she shared her favorite moments with us in a photo journal.

Thre3bound poster outside theatre. I took this right after the screening, full of adrenaline.

Let’s Be Social!
You can follow Meredith on Instagram and Twitter: @rarerarefind to discover what else she gets up to in LA, & if you are curious about pursuing a film degree at Trin, dive into what our Film Studies program offers.

Over the short time I’ve gotten to know Brooke LePage ’19, I’ve seen her serendipitous smile shine, her personality promulgate positivity, and her mind mitigate any malevolence. Brooke is passionate about women’s rights, education, and advocacy, even working as part of a student group focused on addressing sexual misconduct, which looked at the college’s Title IX policies and made sure that they were accessible for ALL students. Brooke is a busy woman, involved with many organizations and playing integral roles in establishing or improving them.

NEED TO KNOWS:
Born in Minnesota. Lives in Franklin, MA
MAJOR ~ Public Policy major with concentrations in education policy and law & society
SOCIETIES/ORGANIZATIONS ~ Apha Chi Omega, SoMA (Social Media Associate)

I like to be busy and the more that I got involved at Trin, the more that I felt a part of the overall community and like I was making a positive impact on that community.

Brooke’s conviction to lead and get involved comes from her constant motivation to seek out solutions to the problems she encounters.

The times I’ve been inspired to get involved and try and make experiences better or easier for other students have occurred after seeing or experiencing things that I didn’t like, or had a hard time going through myself.

Hartford Women’s March. 2019

Brooke has always tried to stand up for what’s right, but you cannot fight every battle alone. I believe that college is supposed to teach us how to intellectually engage with the world around us by allowing us to use the skills we’ve learned to stand for what we believe in. Without the support of our institution, we will likely fall short of our goals. So, I asked Brooke: Do you feel like Trinity has supported you in standing for what’s right and what you believe in?

Definitely, in a lot of different ways too. Professor Adrienne Fulco, Associate Professor of Legal and Policy Studies at Trin, has been one of my greatest inspirations and biggest advocates on campus. She’s instilled a lot of important values in me. Her support and guidance alone have really allowed and encouraged me to pursue the types of study that I’m passionate about. I think my thesis is a great contribution to this point. When I was a part of the “Addressing Sexual Misconduct” student group working to address sexual misconduct at higher ed institutions, I really felt like I was being supported by the institution and really making an impact on Trinity’s campus. And I felt the same way when I was chapter president of Alpha Chi Omega.

And she’s right! Brooke’s thesis is powerful and a great contribution to what she strove to do at Trinity. So what was her thesis work about?

My thesis on Title IX in the age of President Trump was inspired by a course I took with Professor Fulco my sophomore year entitled “Title IX: Changing Campus Culture.” The course really opened my eyes to gender inequity in higher education and the role that sexual assault and sexual harassment can sometimes play in that space. It was a really rewarding project for me, not only because it was a capstone of all of the skills that I’ve learned in my public policy courses, but also it was a huge passion project for me. I think if you read the piece, it’s clear that I tried to be unbiased in my methodology portions, but I think you can see my feminist undertones throughout the project. I consider it my little way of contributing to literature and trying to empower women. So, it was a super rewarding project for me.

TENACITY

Currently, Trinity is celebrating 50 years of coeducation, and while Brooke notes that many of her predecessors did not always have the opportunities to advocate for women’s rights in the same way that she does today, she feels fortunate and excited to see all the progress over the years and moving forward.

We have a lot of women in leadership roles on campus, and we have a female president of the college. Those things are really important. But, I think there are definitely ways that the college can continue to improve gender equity on campus in the future. For example, working to ensure that more programs are inclusive, and that there are balanced representation of genders in classes and on campus overall.

A recent accomplishment I can think of was the addition of three new sororities on campus. Prior to that, there were only two sororities on campus and a lot more fraternities. It’s really important for there to be outlets, greek-based or otherwise, where women can gather together and empower one another.

PATIENCE

As a graduating senior, I wanted Brooke to reflect a little. I asked her If she could go back in time to tell high school Brooke something, what advice would she give herself for college?

I think I would tell myself that everything is going to work out. All of the internships I’ve had, the opportunities I’ve applied for, in one way or another, they’ve all worked out in the end. I think I would tell myself not to stress about it because things will happen the way they are supposed to happen at the time they’re supposed to happen.

Although hindsight, that kind of patience for the process and trusting in your work ethic, passions, and ability to grow are paramount in easing your worries about the future.

AUTHENTICITY

Brooke also went on to talk about the importance of authenticity.

I think something I didn’t know when I was a freshman but have learned since being at Trinity, is just how important it is to be yourself. I would want to tell my freshman self to just stay true to herself and always be real.

It’s good to be different. It’s cool to be different and important to just be yourself. And that’s exactly what Brooke has done over the past four years. The lessons Brooke learned while being herself at Trinity have helped her to get the most out of her college experience. Learning how to form ideas, testing them intellectually, and taking risks.

REMINISCE

Reflecting on her favorite moments as a member of Alpha Chi Omega, Brooke recalls that the little things can make a big impact.

There’s so many opportunities on campus for anyone to support and empower women, whether it be big or small.

And I definitely agree. It’s the small things that add up for EVERYONE. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying “hi” to somebody—asking them how their day was.

I think people forget that a lot. I think people assume that they’re not doing enough if they’re not making these big monumental changes, but people forget how much of an impact individual interactions have on other people, and just how much their presence alone can positively benefit the people around them.

LOOKING FORWARD

Brooke is now more focused on growth than ever before. She knows she’s working her way to grabbing herself a “seat at the table,” so to speak. So I asked her: As someone that’s graduating this week, how do you feel looking forward to life after Trin? How will you continue to empower yourself as a female in your industry?

I think something that I’ve been reminding myself is that your first job isn’t necessarily your last or your greatest job—it’s the first step on your journey. That doesn’t mean that your first job is unimportant, but it just means that it’s one of the many steps that you’re going to be taking to achieve your goals and your dreams. All those steps matter.

One of the biggest critiques of millennials and our generation is that we’re too focused on trying to be the “number one” person that’s in charge, or that we always overlook the small things that matter.

I think there’s something to be said for appreciating the process, or for being happy and grateful for where you are and the steps that you’re taking towards achieving your goals—even if you’re not there yet.

Before wrapping up my interview, I really wanted to ask Brooke what her dream job looks like—hopefully getting her to dream without any boundaries.

I’ve learned that the policy areas that I really care about are education and women’s advocacy. So, basically, any opportunities that allow me to become an expert in one or both of those two policy areas, I’d be happy with.

I would REALLY love to be an expert on women’s advocacy or education policy in the White House. I envision myself as an advisor to a future president that I really believe in and feel honored to work for. All I’ve ever wanted to do is be an advocate for people who can’t necessarily advocate for themselves, and I’d love to make positive changes and contributions to society overall.

You can hear what else Brooke has to say, and the wisdom she’ll leave with the Class of 2019 during her student speech at Trinity’s 193rd Commencement ceremony on May 19, 2019. Be sure to follow along with commencement festivities on social media @TrinityCollege and use #TrinGrad to join the conversation.

Senior Grant Sorensen ’19 is a student-athlete on Trinity’s campus who has excelled both academically and athletically. Hailing from Moore,OK, Grant is a co-captain on the wrestling team and majored in English literature. Want to get to know Grant even better before he embarks on his life after Trin? I sat down with Grant to learn a little more about his academic and athletic pursuits, as well as his aspirations for the future.

Grant came to Trin from a private high school in Oklahoma City where he wrestled and figured out early on that in the future he would like to continue his wrestling career. He was also interested in going to an academically prestigious and challenging school, so, when Trinity College made it onto his list of prospective schools, his college counselor also highly recommended looking into Trinity because she and her husband were graduates of NESCAC schools.

Being a student-athlete has been essential to my Trinity experience because it has essentially BEEN my Trinity experience. The effort to balance academics and sports has been a large part of my time here at Trinity. It has required a lot of work, but also been incredibly rewarding,

Sorensen accepting the Robert R. Bartlett Award along side Trinity’s head wrestling coach Marques Gales

he said. While in season, Grant brings passion and attitude and trains accordingly—equal amounts of intensity and competitive energy. His dedication and strong work ethic to his team and to his academics has awarded him three times Academic All-American. He was also a 2018 NCAA qualifier, and two-time Regional place winner. Most recently, Grant was honored as the male recipient of the Robert R. Bartlett Award, given annually by the athletic department during Trin’s annual Senior Athletic Awards Ceremony.

It hasn’t always been easy maintaining a healthy balance, as Grant explained,

I don’t know if you could even call it balanced, as I probably got a lot less sleep than I should have these past four years, but I wouldn’t change a thing. It is the challenges and difficulties, which I have loved these past four years.

A valuable piece of advice that Trinity’s head wrestling coach, Marques Gales, gave Grant directly relates to what he has been able to accomplish as a student-athlete, “Control what you can: 1.) Attitude 2.) Effort.”

Outside of the normal work/life balance, Grant’s biggest challenge came freshman year, when he came to Trin fresh off of a knee injury, and then again at the end of this past year, when he experienced another knee injury. It wasn’t ideal, but along with his coaches, they made the most educated decisions they could at the time and did the best they could given the situation.

Looking towards the future, he said,

wrestling has shaped who I am and will influence who I am going to be. I find that the accountability, pressure, and the feelings of both pain and happiness are unique in wrestling compared to other general athletic experiences.

His biggest piece of advice for incoming freshmen student-athletes is to have fun, grow close to your teammates despite minor differences, and the job search comes faster than you might think!

“Grant has been a pleasure to coach for the past four years and has been a model student-athlete here at Trinity,” coach Gales. “He is extremely dedicated; a great role model for his peers, and has also been very active in the community. He is the type of person to make everyone around him a greater version of themselves and he will continue to do great things in life after Trinity.”

And, as Grant reflects on those four years in college, and as he prepares for graduation, his proudest moment has been being able to see some of his teammates have their greatest performances at the end of their careers. As wrestling team captain, he has found that he has developed a strong ability to talk to and connect with teammates and coaches. He now better understands the elements, which are essential to creating a successful team. Most importantly, as a captain and a teammate,

I have taken away newfound brothers who will continually be some of my closest friends for the rest of my life.

Kyra Lyons ’20 always seemed to have a passion for capturing the moment. Her involvement on campus at Cinestudio and with Trinity Film Festival only corroborate this.

This past fall, I was lucky enough to witness her capturing her own cinematic moments and basking in Italian cinema, red Beret and all.

I recently reached out to Kyra to discuss the upcoming annual Trinity Film Festival on May 4 at 5 p.m. (EST).

What movie(s) have you seen the most?

Hmm, that’s tough. The most? I would always watch movies like Funny Face, Spirit, and Back to the Future with my siblings in the backseat on a family road trip—definitely Lyons family classics.

What new movies are you most excited to watch?

This is also a tough question. I love going in blind, just waiting to see what’s out and then choosing randomly… But, I’m looking forward to Booksmart with Beanie Feldstein, that looks right up my alley.

What’s the best part about working at Cinestudio and being involved in Trinity Film Festival?

It’s amazing to say I play a part in preserving and celebrating the art of cinema. Whether it’s by volunteering at Cinestudio or putting together Trinity Film Festival programming, it’s amazing to meet individuals who are just as passionate about creating & celebrating film as you are.

Why are you passionate about film?

While absorbing a film, we are transported into another life and must work to empathize and understand the world created by the film. There is a unique appeal to film as an artistic medium, as the visuals allow us to see through another’s eyes. After a truly moving film, I often find myself looking at my surroundings with fresh eyes, as if the filmmaker has climbed into my brain to use my eyes as their camera. I evaluate my relationships in different ways; I interact with the world in more meaningful ways. I think Trinity’s film studies head, Prakash Younger, sums it up best when he says:

“By taking advantage of the access films provide to the experience of other times, places, cultures, and sensibilities we enhance our ability to connect with the world we live in today; unlikely as it may seem, a French film from the 1930s or a Bollywood film from the 1970s may turn out to be the ‘message in a bottle’ we have been waiting for, the magic lens that brings certain facts and possibilities of the present into sharp focus.”

I am passionate about film because it has proven to be a truly world-changing medium, enhancing viewers’ day-to-day sensibilities and encouraging empathy in the most subtle and touching ways.

What is Cinestudio?

Cinestudio is a classic movie palace located in the heart of Trinity College’s campus. It’s a not-for-profit independent film theater with a magnificent single-screen venue, 485 seats, and a much-loved balcony. Built in 1935, Cinestudio stands to this day as one of the most highly regarded art house cinemas in the country. From documentaries to live ballets to Oscar-nominated films, Cinestudio’s stunning variety of showings has something for everyone (and the theater just debuted a gorgeous new sign!).

For those who don’t know, tell us more about Trinity Film Festival?

Founded in 2012, Trinity Film Festival (TFF) is a national platform for undergraduate filmmakers. TFF aims to provide a celebratory evening of cinematic dialogue that enables student filmmakers to premiere their short films on the big screen, engage other student filmmakers, meet industry professionals, and win cash prizes. It is an annual event hosted at Cinestudio, this year’s event will be held on May 4 at 5 p.m.

Guests dress to impress for the red carpet, enjoy celebrated undergraduate short films, and attend an Oscars-style awards ceremony following the screening. In past years, I have served as an Event Coordinator and Submissions Coordinator on the TFF student team, and I now serve as the Senior Content Director. It is always extremely fulfilling to help provide undergraduate filmmakers with a glamorous evening celebrating the art of cinema.

Have you shot any films yourself?

I have been very fortunate to learn all about the art of filmmaking and cinema during my time at Trinity as a film major. Through my studies, I have written and directed two of my own short films as well as aided on several of my classmates’ films. Using what I’ve learned at Trin, I have been able to produce films on my own time, from writing & directing a film in my hometown of Waukegan, IL to producing/shooting/editing a documentary of cinema activists while studying abroad in Rome, Italy.

How can students who are interested in film get involved with TFF?

Trinity Film Festival is proudly run by an extremely hard-working student team and is of course made possible by the student filmmakers around the world who submit and showcase their films at the festival. Student involvement is key in making TFF what it is–to anyone who is curious about getting involved, I highly encourage them (and all their friends) to attend this year’s festival on May 4 at 5 p.m. at Cinestudio (and then be on the lookout for applications when next year’s student team is assembled!).

Laura Cadavid ’19, Claire Pritchard ’20, and Gwen Sadie ’21 are three crew members who go above and beyond in their roles as student workers in the Austin Arts Center (AAC). Put your show face on and get to know these three Bants and their experiences being a part of the #TrinArts community!

What are you studying at Trin, and what involvement did you have in the most recent production of “Little Shop of Horrors”?

CADAVID: I am a neuroscience major, and although I am not working the “Little Shop” musical, I am helping to build the set.PRITCHARD: I am a biochemistry and theater major, and I am a costuming assistant for AAC.SADIE: I am double majoring in music and sociology, and I am part of AAC’s front of house staff, which includes working the Box Office and ushering for shows and musicals like “Little Shop.”

Little Shop of Horrors[? : John Atashian]Tell us a little bit about what the most recent musical, “Little Shop of Horrors” is about—for those who might have missed the production.

PRITCHARD: “Little Shop of Horrors” is a story of ambition, love, and tragedy, but in a fun way! An employee, Seymour, at a struggling flower shop on Skid Row discovers a new plant that brings attention and customers to the shop, but also has a price, as Seymour has to compromise his morals for his newfound fame.

Would you say there is a strong theater community at Trin? Do you have any advice for Bants that are interested in joining the community or working with AAC?

Bantam Claire Pritchard ’20

PRITCHARD: The theater community at Trin has been one of the defining factors of my experience here. I love being involved with productions through acting and through working backstage in costuming. I think the theater major community is tight-knit, and I’ve met some of my best friends in the department. AAC productions welcome students of all majors, so I’ve also been able to meet and get to know people I never would’ve met just in my classes. If you’re interested in theater at Trinity, I say just dive in! The classes are really accessible to people of all skill levels, and they’re really rewarding. And, the productions are a lot of fun no matter how much experience you may or may not have.

When did you decide to get involved in the theater scene at Trinity, and what sparked your interest?

Cadavid ’19 working on set construction w/ peer Federico ’22

CADAVID: I actually only became involved in the theater scene last spring when I started working as a stage technician. I wanted to find a job on campus that was very hands-on and where I could learn a lot. I have always wanted to work in a theater since high school, but I never got a chance to do it and figured this would be the perfect chance.PRITCHARD: I got involved with Trinity theater as soon as I got here freshman year when I was in “The Laramie Project.” I did theater all throughout grade school, and I knew I wanted to pursue it in college, so it was a no-brainer for me.SADIE: I started working in Austin Arts my freshman fall, so for the past two years my involvement in the theater scene has primarily been as a promoter and usher. As a front of house employee, I get the inside scoop on all our upcoming performances and then I work the shows. In that sense, I don’t really miss any AAC performances, which is one of my favorite things about the job.

What do you like most about working in your current AAC position?

Cadavid ’19 works sound on an AAC production

CADAVID: I think when I first started the job, I really liked that it was very hands-on, and I got to learn so much about carpentry, electrics, painting, etc. As I spent more time in shop, I showed an interest in learning new things, and I was always willing to ask for help (or provide it when I could), which is why I think my supervisors made the decision to make me a project lead.PRITCHARD: I love the diversity of roles you play as a costuming assistant, from sewing to makeup application, to calming performers’ nerves and helping them with quick changes. Costuming assistants have an opportunity to make a big difference in the show by making sure that the cast can focus on performing.

SADIE: I love seeing people coming and going from AAC. It’s nice to see many of the same faces during my weekly shifts, but there are always new faces as well. Also, when you work in the Box Office, you get to pick the music, which is very important. Coming in as a freshman, I knew I wanted to get involved in music both academically and through extracurriculars so when I found out there were job openings at Austin Arts Center, I jumped at the opportunity. I knew that working in AAC would help me establish and maintain relationships with more of the faculty and staff who work in the building. Now that I’ve been working here for the past two years, I’m really grateful for those relationships.

What is your fondest memory or greatest accomplishment so far during AAC’s most recent production?

Behind-the-scenes costuming for “Little Shop”

CADAVID: When we started building the set it looked kind of clean, and then as we worked more on it, especially the painting it started to look more like an old, dirty store which I was pretty proud of.

PRITCHARD: Two of the costuming assistants are taking night classes this semester, so we’ve had to work around them being gone and still be able to do everyone’s makeup and hair, and so far we’ve been able to do it!SADIE: I put a group of twelve students on the wait list for a Thursday performance, which hardly ever happens, so that was pretty exciting! It’s always fun to get to the point of selling out all or most of our shows because there is a sense of anticipation and excitement in the air that everyone feels together.

How do you work within your team to achieve your goals on a regular basis?

SADIE: When everyone does their part to the fullest of their abilities, no matter how big or how small it may seem, whether it is on or behind the stage, things tend to go extremely smoothly. We are all working towards a common goal; having a sense of community and knowing that we are all here to help and support each other is a key part of what makes the job so enjoyable and successful.

Do you hope to continue work at AAC in the future—even after your time at Trin?

CADAVID: I would love to continue working at a theater somehow, maybe this summer, however, since I am not a theater major, this may not be the route I pursue. I have definitely learned a lot of skills that I will use in the future when it comes to any kind of handy work (shout out to Elisa, Ritz, and Jessie for all of their help).

Pritchard ’20 among AAC costumes

PRITCHARD: I plan to work at the costume shop until I graduate, and I would love to stay involved in theater after Trinity.SADIE: Yes, definitely!

How have you grown as a production crew member?

CADAVID: Every time we build a new set, we do something new or different, so I get to learn something from each one. “Little Shop” specifically, taught me a lot about set design and adding wear and tear on purpose which was really cool.

Do you find it is hard to juggle your academic work along with your positions on the crew? How do you balance your social and work lives?

SADIE: Don’t sleep. Kidding, of course! In all seriousness, it is all about staying on top of my work and finding a good, healthy social dynamic that enhances my quality of life rather than stresses me out. When I surround myself with people who support me, and when I choose to study things that genuinely interest me, that balance works itself out. I find that my social life in many ways meshes well with my academic, extracurricular, and work related interests, which softens the distinction between “work” and “play” and helps me have a fulfilling day to day life.

If you could choose a show for AAC to do in the future, what would it be?

CADAVID: I would love to see “The Sound of Music” in Goodwin, I know it’s a huge production, but it was one of the first shows I ever saw and would love to see it here at Trinity.PRITCHARD: I would love to do a production of “The Vibrator Play”, “Angels in America”, or “The Taming of the Shrew.”SADIE: I think I’d choose something like “Chicago.” In a place like Trinity it’s nice to put on shows that are more well known when possible so as to attract a broader audience (or even to attract more people to audition and encourage others to get involved in theater themselves!).

Is there anything else you would like to say or advice for other Bants looking to get involved in #TrinArts?

CADAVID: I have learned so much and have met a lot of awesome people at AAC, we’re so lucky to have such great people running things around here!

If you’re interested in getting involved as a student worker in the AAC for future semesters, reach out to Alexandra Fischbein, Administrative Assistant for Academic Arts and Production at Trin, via email: alexandra.fischbein@trincoll.edu

“An idea is only crazy when your words aren’t in alignment with your work ethic, your actions, and your passions.”

Matthew Rivera ’20 found his passion and wants to share it with the world. He recently began producing weekly motivational videos, providing insights and instructions for beginning a journey towards maximizing your potential and making your dreams a reality. He lives by the slogan, “never stop dreaming.” I recently sat down with Matthew to hear how this all came about.

How’d you get into motivational speaking?
It started off with high school basketball. I always had a feeling that I was a leader, and high school basketball truly allowed me to have a platform to showcase my leadership skills. I didn’t play my freshman year because my high school was really far from my home at the time. My mom had just given birth to my little brother, Mason, so I really just wanted to use that time to just go home. However, in my sophomore year, she allowed me to try out, and I made the JV team. From day one, I just worked as hard as I could. I was the most vocal person on the team, and even though I didn’t get captain or co-captain, I continued to work as hard as I could.

Noticed for his work ethic and charisma, Matthew’s ability to uplift his teammates and push them eventually made it impossible for the varsity team to overlook him. But basketball was one stepping stone on the road to motivational speaking. Matt shared the other influential environments that laid the foundation for what he is pursuing today.

The next step? His first job—Chipotle.

I moved on to the next level of leadership when I started working for Chipotle. I really started to go all out with leadership when I decided to quit the basketball team and pursue Chipotle full time. What strengthened my leadership skills was trying to get people to understand how to get their jobs done, and figuring out how to instruct them in a way that wouldn’t make them angry or make them confused. Chipotle really taught me how to be able to run a group of people. It taught me how to be a part of an inclusive environment that fosters growth and love and leadership.

During his time at Trin, Matthew has become a well-known face in the community and the greater Hartford area. His sophomore year he became involved with the Dream Support Network, working their signature event Ice Cream For a Dream in the summer of 2018. The Dream Support Network is a Hartford-based organization seeking to inspire and support those chasing their dreams. The Ice Cream For a Dream event is designed to facilitate dreaming by providing ice cream to people who are willing to share their dreams with the Dream Team.

When I got involved with the Dream Support Network and Ice Cream for a Dream, I realized that motivational speaking is something that I’m kind of good at. You don’t know how many times I’ve been on the ice cream truck and people are like, “Oh yeah, I don’t have any dreams.” That just really bothers me, that a lot of people don’t understand what their dreams are.

It was during those conversations on the truck that Matthew realized the importance of inspiring others to dream.

Outside of work, on the side, I was just doing little, like motivational consultations with my friends, providing them with any motivation that they needed. A lot of people really started to feel like I could be a viable resource for motivational speaking. I’ve decided to pursue it as a career because my main goal for motivational speaking is to travel across the world giving individualized motivational consultations.

But Matthew isn’t looking for fame or money. CONVICTION, DUTY, and PURPOSE are the driving factors behind his passion.

I feel like it is super important for people to have someone to talk to and get motivation from. What I’ve noticed is that providing people motivation is just so great, because when it clicks for those people, you see them, and there’s just something different about them. They smile just a little bit brighter. Their energy’s a little bit more vibrant, and they just navigate the world in a different way.

As part of Matt’s conviction to lead, he knows the importance of performing at a high level to ensure that your team and others around you have the best platform to succeed. He recalls that it was while working at Chipotle that he truly learned how to lead.

I’m honestly very thankful for Chipotle because their system was just dope on so many different levels. At Chipotle, they stress a lot of terms or expectations that are equivalent to the kind of workers that they hire and the kind of worker that you should be.

While some of the terms eluded Matthew when we spoke, one term that stuck out to him was “top performers.”

Top performers are people who have the desire and ability to perform excellent work in order to achieve high standards.
My general manager did a great job keeping staff motivated and inspired us to reach that “restaurateur” status (which is like an exemplary restaurant). And I saw the mission. I saw his vision, and he inspired and motivated me to continue to give others the mission as well. I feel like it was so key in developing myself as a leader because there were plenty of times where I would run the entire shift.

Matthew’s notes that he remembers times when fellow co-workers would contact him in hopes that he would run the shift that day. Despite Matthew’s leadership skills, he was never promoted due to the fact that he would soon be going to college.

But did that deter him?

No, it didn’t. It didn’t deter me at all. Although I would have enjoyed having more pay, I still carried myself as a manager because it was just the leader that was inside of me. I didn’t care about who got the credit or who didn’t. I still took on a lot of managerial roles.

I used to arrive early for my shifts and prep the store so that way when my team came in, they wouldn’t have a stressful time. And that’s what it was. The team respected me so much, and they saw how much I cared for it.

That’s one of the most important leadership qualities I’ve ever been given—that I can just do something and not have to take credit for it.

I was able to get so much done without even having to take on that title of being a manager. It was just such an amazing experience for me.

That was one of the great takeaways from my sit down with Matthew. Your duty is to help facilitate the success of those around you.

Lead regardless of your title.

Before we ended the conversation I had one final question for Matthew. What does it mean it never stop dreaming?
Never stop dreaming is a mindset geared around dreams and dreaming. When you live your life this way you start to notice that you’re not just doing things because you have to, but rather you’re intentional about your actions. You’re focused on what you want to do and what you should be doing. Which person should you be networking with? Which interview should you be preparing for? What jobs should you be applying for? What people can I meet with to help me reach that dream?
Your mindset will allow you to come up with all these really great and amazing ideas, but it’s up to you to act on those amazing ideas and really put that work, time, and effort in.

An idea is only crazy when your words aren’t in alignment with your work ethic, your actions, and your passions.

People would understand what is needed in order for them to live out the life of their dreams if they allowed themselves to think about it. That’s why I truly live to embody the statement “never stop dreaming” because through God who strengthens me, this positive mindset that I’ve taken on, the wonderful mentors that I have, the wonderful network that I have, and the wonderful support system I have, I can do all and everything. I know that I won’t ever stop until I fulfill God’s purpose. I feel like God has a crazy plan for me and I’m rocking with it till the end. Never stop dreaming. Matt with a dream clock out.

Not only has Matthew been passionate about motivating others at Trin and our surrounding Hartford community, he is also a “student leader deeply committed to social change during his time at Trinity.”

Selina Ortiz ’19 is a computer science major and legal studies minor from Bronx, NY. She’s super involved around campus, and she is currently planning (and pumped for) the upcoming 14th annual Trinity International Hip Hop Festival organized by the Trinity Chapter of Temple of Hip Hop at Trin on March 28-31.

Selina recently gave us advice on how Bants can get involved on campus and offered up a quick history lesson on Temple of Hip Hop and what we can expect during the upcoming fest.

Fun Fact:
I drove my grandfather’s boat when I was six years old when we went to visit him on Long Island one summer.

Why Trin?
My college counselor, Zee Santiago ’09 is an alumnus. He was the one who put Trinity on my radar. Trin’s small campus environment and the surrounding Hartford neighborhoods sealed the deal. I really envisioned myself interacting with the campus and local communities.

Mather, Cave, or Bistro? Peter B’s or Underground?
Bistro if it’s open because Patrick makes good burgers and Mather for the variety and for Tony’s burgers and chicken melts. I’ve used both coffee shops, but you are more likely going to spot me at the Underground. Many of my friends are baristas there, so I have to show my support. It’s also more of a quiet vibe where you can see people either studying or passed out because of studying.

What is it like to be a woman in STEM?
Women have been making huge strides in STEM, and to be a part of that movement is invigorating! As a computer science major, I believe the field needs more female representation because it’s only recently that we’ve seen innovations and achievements by women, which surprises many. Personally, I wanted to study computer science to normalize these expectations. It should not be a surprise when a female achieves greatness, she is just as capable as her male counterparts, and can even offer something more to the world.

Why do you think it is important to be involved on campus?
Being involved gives us an opportunity to learn more about our likes and dislikes, and it helps us explore interests outside of academics. Being involved can take many forms, and it doesn’t mean you have to join a club, because you can also show your interest in being a part of the campus community by going to events and interacting with others. You will be here for four years, so you might as well make some memories while you’re here.

How has being a student at Trin benefited you?
Trinity has helped me get out of my comfort zone. My involvement has helped me connect with people I probably would not have interacted with on my own.

What sparked your interest to join the organizations you are currently involved with?
I have always wanted to help people, and I believe in leaving doors open for those that are behind you. I never sought to be a leader, but I knew I wanted to be a person that other students knew had their backs, and that they could reach out to for help. We are all going through the journey of navigating college life at Trinity together, so why not help each other out?

Did you think your freshman year that you would end up becoming so involved with campus organizations?
I didn’t think I would, but other people saw it. I have a knack for connecting with people, and I consider myself to be a very friendly, open-minded person, and that draws different people in.

Why is Temple of Hip Hop so important to you? Can you tell us Temple’s roots here at Trin?Temple of Hip Hop is important, because it keeps the roots of hip hop alive, not only through music and the arts, but also through academics. Trin’s Temple of Hip Hop is a chapter of the national Temple of Hip Hop organization created by KRS-One, a rapper from the Bronx. Trinity is the only college with a chapter on campus, and the hip hop fest that takes place on Trin’s campus existed before we had a Temple of Hip Hop chapter. The fest first started as a response to Nas’ “Hip Hop is Dead” record in 2006, and was organized to show that while hip hop was taking a different form in U.S. mainstream media, across the globe, hip hop was being used as a powerful form of expression, and as a platform to share ideas. After 14-years of the fest, our goal remains the same: to promote positivity through hip hop and to give people an opportunity to see how the genre has impacted people in other parts of the world.

Being from the Bronx, I have always been interested in hip hop, however, I am most interested in old-school hip hop, which carries a certain message. My college counselor, Zee Santiago ’09, who is an alum, was also one of the students who founded Trin’s Temple of Hip Hop chapter. When he told me his stories, I knew I wanted to get involved, and my roles in the group have been progressing since I first joined. I started out working with local businesses, especially Black and Latino/a ones here in Hartford, who wanted to vend at the fest, giving them the opportunity to promote their small businesses. In recent years, I have been more involved in organizing events that we host during the fest, which has been a very rewarding experience for me.

When did you first get involved with the international hip-hop fest hosted at Trin? Do you have a favorite part of the fest?

14th annual Trinity Hip Hop Festival Performers

I joined Temple my freshman year, and I have been a member ever since. I don’t have a favorite part of the festival, but the events that I feel are most impactful are the Youth 4 Change conference, the concert Saturday night, and the graffiti exhibition. We have young students from across the country signing up for our Youth 4 Change conference to learn about the positive sides of hip hop, and to learn how to express themselves using the five-elements of hip hop: DJing, MCing, break-dancing, graffiti writing, and knowledge.

Why do you think it’s so important that Trinity hosts the event each year?
The fest started at a time when there were some tensions between the Hartford community and the college. Hartford has a huge underground hip hop network that supports positivity, so what better way to share the message and unify Trinity and our Hartford communities? The weekend-long fest not only highlights members of the Hartford community, but it also features people from around the world who also want to make a difference in their communities. It is all about collaboration and partnership.

If you could change something about your Trinity experience what would it be?
I wish I had taken more advantage of the Student Success and Career Development Center. Trinity has a valuable network of alumni that want to hire and help us Bants.

Where do you hope to see continued growth at Trinity?
I hope to see continued and additional support of cultural organizations on campus in the future. Cultural organizations host a lot of events open to the Hartford and campus community, and often, these organizations have to work hard for funding to put on high-quality events.

What is something you will miss when you graduate?
I will miss the people that I have connected with over the past four years, both administration and students alike.

What are some goals that you have for yourself once you graduate?
I have always been interested in law enforcement and criminal justice. One day, I hope to use my computer science skills to work for a law enforcement agency. For now, I want to gain experience in the field and to learn more about what I want in my future. I am definitely taking a year to focus on myself before I attend graduate school.

What advice do you have for #TrinColl2023?
• Make Trinity work for you by using the resources that are here. Your four years will pass you by, and you don’t want to regret missing opportunities you wished you had taken advantage of.
• Know when to step back. Self-care is always important. College is an important milestone in life, but don’t let yourself become overwhelmed. If you need time for yourself, take it. And make sure to not fall behind in your academics.
• There’s always someone around to help you. Whether your professors and advisors, your RA, or P.R.I.D.E. leaders in your dorms, never be afraid to ask these resources for help.

What advice or tips do you have for students who want to get more involved?
Forget about comfort. Once you find a group or organization you want to be involved in, you will find a welcoming community, but you have to branch out of your comfort zone. Talk to people and attend events!

Do you have any extra tidbits of knowledge to share?
Everyone’s college experience is different. Do things that benefit you and make you happy. Enjoy every moment and never have regrets. We all take L’s, just make sure you turn those into lessons.

We all seek different ways to leave our footprint or legacy around Trin’s flock, but Bant Trinna Larsen ’20 hopes to do the same by reducing hers—her carbon footprint that is. The proud Vermonter possesses a sense of duty and passion for sustainable practices that will ultimately give future generations at Trin (and beyond) a better quality of life. She hopes that everyone on campus will walk into their futures with pride, knowing that their contributions mattered.

Check out my Q&A with Trinna to learn how we can all get involved in making our campus CLEAN, GREEN, and PRISTINE.

Where’s the best place to eat in your hometown?
At my house! My mother makes the best food in town.

In your opinion, what’s the most beautiful place on campus?
I think the most beautiful place on campus is the Quad on a sunny day. With the Long Walk, the Chapel, the trees, and the grass, this is a spot where I feel as though I’m on campus and in nature, making it the most beautiful place on campus to me.

What are you involved in at Trin?
My involvement on campus includes acting as the Student Sustainability Liaison, which makes me a member of the Student Government Association (SGA), the Summit Sustainability Committee, Climate Change+, and Green Campus. I also am a founding member of TrinTalks, an event designed to promote healthy political discourse on campus. For fun, I am also co-president of TREEHouse, as well as a member of the Catan Club, and the Mill.

Can you explain sustainability?
Sustainability takes the understanding that we, as humans, act with limited resources, and must be considerate not only of our needs in the present but also be proactive about the needs of our future. Sustainability applies primarily to environmental issues and incorporates concerns for economics and social matters as it is the belief of myself and many others that the three elements are intertwined.

Larson studied glaciers & climate change in Iceland last summer

Why is sustainability so important to you?
Sustainability is important to me because my future is important to me. Looking at the International Panel on Climate Change, and their reports over the past 50-years, it becomes clear that our world is heading in a direction that quite literally cannot support our rising populations and the resulting resource demands. In addition to sustainability being an issue of practicality, it is an issue of morality. People are impacted by sustainability at disproportionate levels. Displacement due to increasingly extreme weather events, rising sea levels, changing agricultural conditions, and water and air pollution, have already begun, and will only get worse as we continue to ignore the ramifications of our behaviors. The lack of sustainability in today’s world is not an environmental issue; it is an existential crisis. If I have children, I want to be able to tell them about what I have done for their future with pride, not with shame.

How have your views on sustainability shaped your time at Trin?
My time at Trinity has been dedicated to making sustainable behavior a norm on campus. This work has led me to meet people and create relationships that have made my time here feel completely worthwhile. It has provided my direction for not only my years as a student but also for the rest of my life.

What are some of the ways that Trinity has pledged to move toward sustainability?
Our campus has made significant steps towards establishing sustainability in both theory and application. Together, we have created several committees across campus that are dedicated to sustainability efforts. The college hired a sustainability coordinator, Rose Rodriguez, and has made significant progress towards tracking and reducing its overall resource consumption. The most tangible example of this can be seen in the improved composting in Mather Hall, one of our dining facilities. Hopefully, with this combination of institutional and cultural changes, our campus can become one that is not only reactive but also proactive when it comes to sustainable practices.

As SGA sustainability liaison, how do you reduce your carbon footprint?
What are some easy ways for Trinity students to do the same?
I do my best to reduce my carbon footprint, but no one is perfect, and I am certainly far from it. A list of things I and any other Bantam can do to reduce our carbon footprint include:

walk instead of drive bring a water bottle skip the straw take shorter showers pick up litter when you see it eat at Mather where you can compost pick to-go goods with recyclable packaging instead of single use rinse recyclables and make sure the bin you place them in is contamination-free educate yourself on composting and make sure you are doing so properly avoid red meats (preferably all meats) reuse your solo cups when you are out reuse as many disposable plastics as you can purchase toxic free cosmetic and cleaning materials

Larson speaks at GREENFest 2018

This list is not entirely comprehensive, but these suggestions are what come to mind when I consider my daily behaviors. It is important to keep in mind that as college students, we are limited in our means, and therefore must push to not only be sustainable ourselves, but also for our institutions to support us. Make sure to answer surveys, speak to your college representatives, and to your friends, about different barriers you face in living sustainably. When we do these things, our campus can work together to support a culture we can all be proud of.

How do you envision sustainability efforts at Trin in the future?I am really hopeful for Trin’s future sustainability efforts. We now have core values woven into the fabrics of our campus thanks to the summit sustainability committee, Rose Rodriguez, our SGA constitution, and these networks are only growing as sustainability becomes an increasing concern to our generation and as more opportunities to act are uncovered or created. For me, our future is epitomized in GREENFest, happening this year on April 14. This event incorporates students from all walks of life on campus, who come together to celebrate what we can to work towards greater sustainability. As long as these efforts include economic and social/cultural considerations, a healthy future of sustainability at Trinity is achievable.

Whether she is encouraging her Trin-Cycle spin class to power through a grueling long ride or completing sociology homework in the Fish Bowl window section at Peter B’s, you’ve likely seen this Bant ‘”Around the Flock.” Check out my Women’s History Month interview below with Sam McCarthy ’21 as she tells me about all things Trin and all things Green Dot, a new power-based personal violence prevention program that’s about to make waves on campus. Consider this your sneak peek.

Why did you choose Trinity?
I really wanted to go to school somewhere far away from home. Specifically, I wanted to go to the east coast because that is where my dad is from. I also really liked the idea of a small liberal arts school.

What is your favorite spot on campus?
Peter B’s by the windows (aka The Fish Bowl)

What are you involved in on campus?
I teach Trin-Cycle classes on Mondays and Wednesdays through Trin Recreation, I am on the executive board of Alpha Chi Omega, I was a first-year mentor last fall, and I’ll be a mentor again this coming fall, and I am a student worker for Green Dot!

What is Green Dot?
Green Dot is a bystander intervention program that a lot of colleges and universities use as a way to decrease power-based personal violence (most commonly sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking) on campuses. The program is centered around every individual making small choices to do their part in changing an overall campus culture so that this type of violence is no longer tolerated. A green dot is a single choice that someone makes to lessen the likelihood that a red dot, which is an act of violence, will occur.

How has Green Dot impacted campus?
One unique aspect of Green Dot is that everyone on campus is involved in the effort. We have given overviews to various groups of faculty and staff members as well as student leader groups. So far, this includes RA’s, P.R.I.D.E. Leaders, many of the athletic teams, and a few of the Greek life organizations. The program is still being implemented, but I have loved seeing the positive responses of those who have already been trained. Seeing students with the Green Dot phone wallets and stickers gives me hope that our campus culture is strengthening and that this program is one that will stick with Bants. I think Green Dot makes Trinity safer, and I believe our school is becoming a better place because of it.

How did you first get involved with Green Dot?
I had been told about the Green Dot program by one of the Trinsition Fellows when only the faculty and staff knew about the program, and I was encouraged to apply for the student worker position last summer. I’ve been working for Green Dot this academic year, and I will be on campus again this summer continuing this work!

Why is Green Dot important to you?
I have always been extremely passionate about advocating on behalf of preventing power-based personal violence, and my passion has grown since coming to college. I love Green Dot because the program meets students where they are and uses this to create realistic bystander intervention tactics. Green Dot trainings are interactive, and the examples provided directly relate to the current campus culture. If I could single-handedly change the culture of Trinity, and of all college campuses to stop violence, I would. However, I know that’s not realistic, and that’s why I believe in Green Dot. No one has to do everything, but everyone has to do something.

How can other students help spread Green Dot’s message?

There are two ways that students can spread this message. First, if you see a situation you think could turn into an act of violence, you can do what is called a “reactive green dot” and make an attempt to eliminate the chance of a red dot happening. Reactive green dots can be any one of the three “D’s”:

DIRECT

DISTRACT

DELEGATE

Whether you ask someone to stop what they’re doing directly, ask them to go to the bathroom with you, or call campus safety to intervene, there is always something you can do that is within your comfort zone. The training session helps participants brainstorm realistic green dots that they would feel comfortable doing in different situations.

The other way to spread the message is through “proactive green dots” which are ways to show that you support this program and therefore do not tolerate power-based personal violence. Adding that you support green dot to your email signature, using a Green Dot phone wallet, following Green Dot on social media, or telling your friends about the program are all examples of proactive green dots. If everyone chooses not to tolerate power-based personal violence, the campus will no longer tolerate it, and culture can change.

How can other students get involved with Green Dot?
If anyone is interested in having their organization/club/team participate in a 60-min training, contact me, Sam McCarthy at samantha.mccarthy@trincoll.edu or Trinsition Fellow Shelia Njau at sheila.njau@trincoll.edu, and let us know!

? via @trinitygreendot

Additionally, the week of April 8 is slated to be Green Dot Week at Trin. There will be tabling and events throughout the week which will help launch the program and its practices to the entire campus. There will be opportunities to hear more about the program and to sign up for an overview training session if you’re interested. The week culminates on Saturday, April 13 with Green Dot Game Day where a number of spring athletic teams will play home games while representing the program. Come by throughout the week and on Game Day to learn more about the program and maybe pick up some merchandise.

Imane Bounana ’20, is an African studies and French studies double major and writing, rhetoric, & media studies minor from Morocco. The Trinity Boxing Club plays a valuable role in Imane’s athletic life as she is the first female boxer to represent Trinity.

The Trinity Boxing Club has had a strong partnership for several years with Charter Oak Boxing Academy (COBA) located at 81 Pope Park Hwy, Hartford. The team’s head coach is Johnny Callas, a twenty-year world championship professional boxing referee, and a former NCBA champion, and is in charge of the 11 boxers at COBA, of which five are women. COBA’s style is dynamic due to the program’s ability to provide multiple coaches who offer different insights and help in addition to the skills of Coach Callas. For example, retired American world champion professional boxer Marlon Starling, former USBA & NABF lightweight champion Israel Pito Cardona, and “Iceman” John Scully, a formerly world-ranked professional light heavyweight. Having no previous boxing experience before attending Trinity, Imane decided to join the Trinity Boxing Club this past semester at the suggestion of one of her current teammates.

Below, she reflects on her passion for the sport, and on her experiences boxing for Trin:

My first official match was at Penn State University, and it was a very special experience. Not only was it my first collegiate boxing experience but I was also the very first female boxer to represent Trinity. I felt honored and very excited to be at the match because being there meant contributing to something bigger than myself. I was matched up with a female boxer from Penn State University, so there was definitely a lot of pressure. Because official competition is very different from sparring, I’d say that my biggest challenge for my first match was to stay composed while taking it all in. Though I did not emerge victorious in that bout, I had a wonderful first-time experience. I will always remember the first time I got inside the ring. It was a different type of excitement and a complete adrenaline rush!

I did win my very first bout in my second match at Lock Haven University! I am so grateful that Trinity and Charter Oak Boxing Academy gave me the opportunity to be there in the first place. I trained tirelessly to make that win a possibility after only a few months of boxing. I know I couldn’t have accomplished the task without the support of my team. I am very grateful to coach Johnny Callas and coach Robert Ford from the UHart program for believing in my potential. They have been of tremendous help throughout my training process, and I look forward to continuing to work with them. I would also not have been able to do this without my teammates, peers from Trinity and UHart, or the kids from COBA. I love working with everyone, and it’s always a highlight of my day going to the gym and seeing all of them and learning from them.

At Charter Oak Boxing Academy, I am constantly reminded that even though I will experience fear, I should still do what scares me. I’d say that is my biggest take away from boxing so far. As for my biggest asset, I’d say it’s my tenacity both inside and outside of the ring. I genuinely believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I like a challenge and boxing gives me just that. Because boxing is not just about physical strength, but mental toughness as well, there is always something more to work on. I am nowhere close to where I want to be, but every day I keep getting better. I keep learning new things, and my goal is to compete in the national championships. For now, I am just going to keep working on how I can become a better boxer.

Looking forward, the Penn State and Lock Haven competitions made me very excited for Trinity’s home show on March 2nd. The team is going big this year, and we are ecstatic! We are going to have female national champions Sierra Martinez v.s. Sumayyah Chisholm featured in the show. We’re also going to have student boxers from Trinity College, University of Hartford, University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts, and hopefully other colleges as well. We would love for the Trinity community to come out and support.

If you are interested in learning more or joining the Trinity Boxing Club, reach out to boxing club president and fellow Bant, Joseph Orosco at joseph.orosco@trincoll.edu. The official practice times for this semester are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. and Sundays from 12- 2 p.m., at the Charter Oak Boxing Academy. The club meets up at Vernon Social at the top of the hour and departs for the academy as a group. The Trinity College & COBA Boxing Classic will be held on Saturday, March 2 in the Learning Corrider Gym, 15 Vernon Street, Hartford. Doors open at 2 p.m. and first bell is at 3 p.m.